Aerial dart game with suction cup dart and curvilinear receiver therefor



April 16, 1968 EB. HARTEL AERIAL DART GAME WITH SUCTION CUP DART AND CURVILINEAR RECEIVER THEREFOR Filed April '27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.2

FIG.7

INVENTOR. Eric E. Harrel M? 9 ATTORNEY Apnl 16, 1968 E. E. HARTEL 3,378,260

AERIAL DART GAME WITH SUCTION CUP DART AND CURVILINEAR RECEIVER THEREFOR Filed April 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet I NVEN TOR.

Eric E. Harfel BY AT TO RNEY United States Patent 0 3,378,260 AERIAL DART GAME WITH SUCTION CUP DART AND CURVILINEAR RECEIVER THEREFOR Eric E. Harte], 103 Freeman Ave., Stratford, Conn. 06497 FiledApr. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 362,737 4 Claims. (Cl. 273-95) This invention relates in general to a dart game, and more specifically to an aerial dart catching game.

Dart games of the class to which the instant invention relates, as exemplified by US. Patent No. 2,745,666, comprises essentially of a suction cup dart and a hand held target. Heretofore, such targets were formed simply with a smooth flat surface or plate and they were difficult to use for fielding or catching a dart when thrown by another player. It has been noted that the use of a flat plate or target as a dart catcher had definite limitations which adversely affected the enjoyment of the game. It has also been noted that the fielding of a thrown dart with a target or catcher formed as a flat plate was rendered quite difficult unless the aim of trajectory of the dart was in a line normal to the plane of the target. However, oftentimes in playing the game, a player would intentionally or otherwise throw the dart toward the other player in a manner so as to render the fielding of the dart difficult in order to add to the amusement of the game. Consequently, under such conditions, the fielding of a dart with a fiat plate catcher so thrown was rendered difiicult, if not impossible. For this reason, the enjoyment of the game was greatly diminished.

Further, the known aerial dart constructions did not provide means for handicapping players of greater skill so that the playing of the game by players of unequal skill could be made more competitive. Thus unless the players playing the game with the known aerial dart constructions were equally skilled, good competition between players of unequal skills could not be achieved. As a result, players of unequal skills playing with the known construction would soon lose interest because of the lack of good competition presented thereby.

Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide in an aerial dart catching game, an improved dart catcher which is constructed and arranged so as to enhance the fielding, catching or receiving of thrown darts.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a dart catching game, an improved dart catcher or receiver constructed and arranged so that players of greater skills can be handicapped and thereby enhance the enjoyment of the game between persons of unequal skill by rendering the play of the game more competitive.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved dart catcher constructed so that a successful catch can be made only when a suction cup dart strikes a predetermined surface or area of the catcher.

Still another object is to provide in an aerial dart catching game an improved dart catcher which can be readily handled in a convenient and reliable manner by the respective players.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in an aerial dart catching game an improved catcher which is specifically constructed and arranged so as to enhance the fielding of erratically thrown darts.

Another object of this invention is to provide in an aerial dart catching game an improved dart catcher which is relatively simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and positive in operation.

In accordance with this invention, the foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained by an aerial dart catching game which comprises of one or more dart catchers of specific construction, and a dart which is adapted to be thrown by a player or between players "ice equipped with a dart catcher of the instant invention. The object of the game is for a player to catch a thrown dart with a catcher or target which is specifically constructed and arranged so as to enhance the fielding or catching of such thrown dart.

In one form of the invention, the dart catcher or target comprises a bowl or dish shaped member provided with a smooth curvilinear surface. In accordance with this invention, the dart comprises a weighted dart body and a suction cup head formed on the end thereof so that the impact of the dart against the smooth curvilinear surface of the catcher will cause the dart to adhere thereto. Suitable means are provided on the catcher so that the same may be conveniently held by the respective players. The arrangement of the bowl shape catcher is such that it greatly enhances the fielding of the darts.

In another form of the invention, the smooth curvilinear surface of the dart is provided with a plurality of apertures spaced over the surface thereof. Accordingly, the spaced apertures function as a means for prohibiting the adhesion of the dart to the bowl in the event any portion of the dart suction cup strikes any portion of the aperture. With this form of the invention, the skill required of the player to make a successful catch would have to be greater than that of a player using a catcher formed simply with a smooth imperforate curvilinear surface.

In another form of the invention, adhesion of the suction cup dart to the surface of the catcher or receiver is prohibited by providing spaced areas of the curvilinear surface of a bowl shaped receiver with roughened areas. Thus, when the suction cup of the thrown dart strikes in the vicinity of such roughened areas, the contour of such areas will prohibit adhesion of the dart suction thereto.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of an improved dart catcher for use in aerial dart game which is constructed and arranged so as to enhance the fielding of erratically thrown darts.

Another feature of this invention resides in an improved dart catcher construction for use in an aerial dart game in which portions of the dart catcher are constructed and arranged so as to prohibit the adhesion of the suction cup dart thereto in order to handicap players of greater skill when playing with players of lesser skills.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and the specification in which,

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the improved dart catcher construction of the instant invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of the dart catcher of FIG. 1 having parts thereof broken away and shown in section.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional side view of a modified form of the invention and having parts thereof shown in section.

FIGURE 4 is a partial or fragmentary front view of the arrangement disclosed in FIG. 3.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary front elevation view of another modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation view of a dart construction adapted for use with the catcher constructions of FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIGURE 7 is a front view of the dart construction of FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 an improved dart catcher or receiver 20 for use in an aerial dart game comprising of one or more such receivers and of one or more suction cup darts 21 of the type illustrated in FIG. 6. As shown, the target or catcher construction 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises essentially of a bowl or dish-shaped member 22 formed with a smooth concave curvilinear surface 23 to define a receiver for catching a suction cup dart 21 when the latter is thrown at the target or catcher 20. Suitable means in the form of a handle or knob 24 may be secured to the back side of the catcher in order to facilitate holding the same. The arrangement is such that the player can readily maneuver and bring the receiver or catcher into position to catch a dart regardless of how thrown.

In accordance with this invention, the object of the game is for the player at which the dart is thrown to successfully catch the dart. This is attained by bringing the receiver or catcher 20 into position with respect to the line of flight of the dart so that the dart 21 will strike it in a manner so that it will adhere to the surface 23 of the receiver. It has been noted that by providing a receiver 22 with a curvilinear surface 23 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the receiver can be more effectively positioned with respect to the trajectory of the dart, since the dart will adhere to the curvilinear surface when the dart impacts the surface at an angle other than normal, so as to enhance the fielding and catching of the dart by rendering more chances for making a successful catch over that of the prior known constructions.

The dart construction 21 which has been found applicable for the play of the game with the target or receiver of FIGS. 1 and 2 is illustrated in FIG. 6. Essentially the dart 21 comprises of a body portion 25 which is provided at one end with a suction cup 26. The tail end of the dart is provided with suitable stabilizers 27 which may be formed of feathers, plastic or the like. In order that the dart 21 may be used for out-of-door play, a suitable weight 28 may be positioned adjacent the head end of the dart so as to give it greater weight. In the illustrated embodiment, the weight is illustrated in the nature of a flange or disc 28 or the like. However, it will be readily understood that the weight may be included directly into the head of the dart or imbedded in the body of the dart, if so desired. Thus in the play of the game, a player equipped with a target or catcher 20 as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 attempts to field or catch the dart thrown in the vicinity thereof. The receiving or defending player does this 'by bringing his target or catcher into position in an effort to intercept the flight of the dart in such a manner that the hit or strike will cause the suction cup 2 6 to adhere to the surface of the catcher. If such a hit is made, the player can be given a score. The play of the game continues by the receiving player in turn throwing the dart to another player whereby the other player is placed in position to catch the dart in a manner such that it will stick or adhere to his target or receiver. Any suitable scoring arrangement or penalties may be provided as the players may select. If desired, a bulls-eye target with scoring rings or the like (not shown) may be provided on the surface 23 of the bowl 22.

FIG. 3 illustrates a modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention, the receiver comprises a bowl or dish shaped member 30 provided on one side with a smooth concave curvilinear surface 30A and on the other side thereof with a smooth convex curvilinear surface 30B. The handle 31 is connected to the bowl shape member 30 to extend radially therefrom.

In this form of the invention, as is best seen in FIG. 4, a plurality of apertures 31 are spaced over the surface area of the catcher. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures 31 extend through the thickness of the bowl member 30. As noted in FIG. 4 the apertures 31 are so spaced so that the imperforate areas 32 between adjacent apertures 31 are sufficiently large so as to accommodate the outline of suction cup 26 of the dart. Therefore, with this construction, it is to be noted that a successful hit or strike of the dart 26 against the curvilinear surface 30A of the plate can only be made when the suction cup 26 of the dart strikes or lands on only the imperforate surface areas disposed between adjacent openings, as indicated by A in FIG. 4. In other words, should the suction cup 26 of the dart strike or cover any portion of the apertures 31 formed in the bowl 30, as indicated at B in FIG. 4, suction or vacuum necessary to adhere the dart 26 to the surface area of the catcher cannot be perfected. Thus the dart will not adhere to the surface of the catcher 30. Consequently, with such a construction, it will be readily noted that catching a dart with the bowl construction 30 of FIG. 4 is made more difficult. Thus the skill of the player required to make a successful catch, that is, to have the dart 26 stick to the surface area of the receiver 30, will have to be greater than that of a player utilizing a catcher construction 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

With the structures described, it will be apparent that players of greater skill can be required to play with the catcher constructions 30 of FIGS. 3 and 4, whereas players of lesser skill can play with the construction 20 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus players of unequal skill, utilizing that target construction suiting their particular skill, can readily play the game together with equal enjoyment and fascination as the competition between the respective players is made more keen thereby. For this reason, the play value of the instant aerial target game is greatly enhanced.

FIG. 5 illustrates another modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention, the construction of the target or receiver 40 is similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 4 with the exception that in lieu of the apertures 31, the receiver 40 of FIG. 5 is provided with a plurality of roughened areas 41 spaced over the surface 40A of the target. For example, the roughened areas 41 may be formed by pebbling or the like so as to prohibit or deter the adhesion of the dart suction cup 26 thereto in the event any portion of the suction cup lands on the roughened areas as indicated at B in FIG. 5. Consequently, in this form of the invention, the smooth surface areas between the roughened areas 41 are so proportioned that they will be able to accommodate the suction cup 26 of the dart when the latter has impacted squarely thereon as indicated at A thereon. Thus the purpose and function of the roughened areas 41 of the bowl 40 is similar to that of the apertures 31 of bowl 30.

If desired, a player may use either surface 30A, 39B of the bowl construction of FIGS. 3 to 5 for catching the dart. Consequently, with the target construction of FIGS. 3 to 5, a player may be able to successfully use the target or catcher to make a back hand catch or stab as well as a forehand catch.

Because the apertures 31 extend through the thickness of the receiver 30, as evidenced in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is to be noted that the same handicap is present in making either the forehand or back hand catch. With the construction of FIG. 5, it will be noted that since only one surface area 40A of the catcher 40, i.e. the concave surface, is provided with roughened areas 41 that the handicap is primarily presented on the forehand catch and not necessarily on the back hand catch. Thus with the construction of FIG. 5, the relatively more easily accomplished forehand catch is handicapped by the structure whereas the more ditficult back hand catch is not. Consequently, it will be noted that with the bowl constructions 30 and 40 of "FIGS. 3 to 5, an endless variety of play and chances can be had which is not possible by the known prior art constructions.

While the instant invention has been illustrated and described with reference to several embodiments thereof, it will be readily understood and apprepriated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the instant invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An aerial dart game comprising a hand-held dart catcher which is sized so that it can be readily held in one hand, said dart catcher including a bowl-shaped receiver having a smooth interior concave surface, a dart having a suction cup connected to the leading end thereof, and said inner smooth concave surface of said catcher defining an area against which the suction cup of the dart 5 will adhere even though the trajectory of the dart to the bowl-shaped catcher is other than normal with respect to the impacted surface, and a handle connected to the exterior surface of the bowl to facilitate the maneuverability of said hand-held catcher to enhance the fielding 5 of erratically thrown darts.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein means are provided for precluding the adherence of the suction cup to selected portions of the receiver.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said last-mentioned means comprise openings extending through the receiver at selected positions to preclude the creation of a vacuum within the suction cup.

4. The structure of claim 2 wherein the last-mentioned means comprise irregularly shaped and positioned roughened portions on the concave surface of the receiver precluding the formation of a vacuum in said suction cup when an edge thereof overlies one of said roughened portions.

UNITED 6 References Cited STATES PATENTS Nason 43-11 Knowles 273-96 Tenney 273-95 Oleott 273-96 Schoen 273-1065 Swartz 273-95 Lemelson 273-1065 X FOREIGN PATENTS 15 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN AERIAL DART GAME COMPRISING A HAND-HELD DART CATCHER WHICH IS SIZED SO THAT IT CAN BE READILY HELD IN ONE HAND, SAID DART CATCHER INCLUDING A BOWL-SHAPED RECEIVER HAVING A SMOOTH INTERIOR CONCAVE SURFACE, A DART HAVING A SUCTION CUP CONNECTED TO THE LEADING END THEREOF, AND SAID INNER SMOOTH CONCAVE SURFACE OF SAID CATCHER DEFINING AN AREA AGAINST WHICH THE SUCTION CUP OF THE DART WILL ADHERE EVEN THOUGH THE TRAJECTORY OF THE DART TO THE BOWL-SHAPED CATCHER IS OTHER THAN NORMAL WITH RESPECT TO THE IMPACTED SURFACE, AND A HANDLE CONNECTED TO THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE BOWL TO FACILITATE THE MANEUVERABILITY OF SAID HAND-HELD CATCHER TO ENHANCE THE FIELDING OF ERRATICALLY THROWN DARTS. 